Quick-donning full face oxygen mask with inflatable harness and soft foldable lens

ABSTRACT

A mask and harness system for use in providing breathing oxygen and protection from pollutants for the eyes and respiratory system as might be encountered in high altitude aviation environments. In one preferred embodiment, the mask system has a face seal, a soft flexible lens, a pneumatically-actuated harness, and a regulator with microphone to control the flow of oxygen and to facilitate communications in aircraft flight decks and other aircraft compartments. The system is designed for required five-second donning with one hand and because of the flexible lens, is capable of storage in the relatively preferred on crowded flight decks. It is connected to an oxygen source and, optionally, with aircraft communications. The regulator controls the flow rate of oxygen to the wearer based on altitude and physiological requirements. The regulator includes a valve for purging the condensation-prone moist gases from the lens area and provides positive pressure in the mask. A second preferred embodiment molds the lens and mask seal of a single material having sufficient optical quality and flexibility to accomplish both purposes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/671,379, filed Sep. 25, 2003,which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/214,033 filed Aug. 7, 2002, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,672,307, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/560,011filed Apr. 27, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,155, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 09/362,264 filed Jul. 28, 1999 now U.S. Pat.No. 6,070,580, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/820,079 filed Mar.19, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,132, which was a divisional of Ser. No.08/316,422 filed Sep. 30, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,566.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to face mask systems for protection fromatmospheric pollutants and the supply of oxygen to the mask wearer andmore particularly to mask systems to supply oxygen for use inoxygen-depleted environments during aircraft decompression, smoke fromonboard fires, airborne debris or other toxic gases which may enter theaircraft flight deck or other crew compartments.

2. Description of Related Art

In the course of aircraft operation, various personnel, including butnot limited to pilots, navigation officers, and other flight crewpersonnel, may need a mask system to provide breathing oxygen and alsoto provide protection from smoke from onboard fires and other possibleairborne eye and lung irritants which may enter the crew compartment(s).There is a requirement in the commercial aviation industry that themasks designed for crew usage be capable of donning in five seconds orless, be able to be donned over eyeglasses and be capable of supplyingoxygen consistent with physiological demands at altitudes up to 40,000feet.

Provisions for stowage of the mask must be sensitive to both thequick-donning requirements and the very limited space and volumeavailable in the aircraft flight decks, and it is particularly desirablethat mask storage be compact enough that it is easily placeable withinthe flight deck in a position close to and convenient to the crewmemberwhen he or she is seated at his or her station. It is also highlydesirable that the mask be capable of accommodating a wide variety offacial sizes and configurations while still adequately sealing the facefrom the external environment.

Since the mask is to be used by crewmembers in an environment that maybe highly stressful, both in terms of the visual tasks and thevisibility afforded in the presence of smoke and the like, it isimportant that the mask provide an acceptable level of optical clarityand freedom from distortion consistent with the other desirablecharacteristics of the mask. Another desirable characteristic is thatthe mask provide, to the extent possible for a stowable mask, protectionfrom impingement on the face of airborne debris and pollutants, andprotection of the eyes in particular from the windborne type of debristhat could be present from an explosive decompression or other breach ofthe windshield system in a large aircraft. Prior art crew masks haveaddressed these problems with masks incorporating rigid lenses mountedin an otherwise flexible mask, or by combinations of goggles and oxygenmasks. While these masks have been functionally useful, they offerdisadvantages in field of view, adaptability to a wide range of headsizes and configurations, the ability to be rapidly donned over glassesand stowability in small areas in the cockpit of the aircraft near thecrewmember. The present invention provides improved solutions to all ofthese problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is for a stowable mask that meets a number ofstringent and difficult environmental and functional requirements foruse in circumstances that typically exist in a pressurized aircraftafter decompression or in the event of an in- flight emergency thatcauses smoke or debris to intrude into the flight deck. In the eventthat such an event occurs, it is recognized that the continued abilityof the flight crew to operate with a high degree of competence iscritical to the prevention of loss of life and property, and thus theavailability of such masks and their functionality is highly desirablefor such aircraft.

Because of the recognition of the benefits of such mask systems, it hasalso become common to require the availability of such masks to many whomay during the course of their occupations be exposed to such hazardsand who must perform critical tasks during such exposure. Particularlyin the case of aircraft, it is highly desirable that such masks take upthe smallest amount of stowage space prior to use in order to make themavailable to the seated user at his station and to avoid taking up thelimited space in the flight deck. Thus, the instrument panel or sidepanels at the crew station are preferred locations for this equipment.It is important that the mask be stowed in a manner which allows for thequick-donning and also does not interfere with normal aircraftoperation. As the mask is likely to be installed on both existing, aswell as new aircraft, it is an important feature of the invention thatthe mask fit in existing cavities already defined for such equipment.

The present invention provides a mask assembly which meets therequirements of quick-donning for the wearer who may be faced withhazardous flight conditions. The invention has the further benefit ofimproved quick donning capability over eyewear, such as glasses, beingworn by the user. Since it is often the case that an inflight emergencyis followed by a fairly long period during which the crewmembers mustoperate in the hazardous environment and guide the aircraft to a safelanding, the mask of the present invention is also configured to becomfortable when worn for extended periods of time. Such a feature isparticularly important in light of certain regulations of some aviationregulatory bodies which require that the mask be worn by one crewmemberat all times. There are also requirements by some regulatory bodies forusage of the mask when a crewmember exits the flight deck. Otherextended operations scenarios may call for wearing the mask for threehours or more and thus comfort of wear is highly desirable.

It is well recognized that the primary purpose of the invention is tolimit infiltration of pollutants and provide adequate physiologicaloxygen volumes for the hazardous environment resulting from eitheraircraft decompression or hazardous gases, not limited to smoke, whichmay enter the crew compartment(s).

In a presently preferred embodiment, a feature of the invention is theability to provide an emergency breathing device in which the flow ofoxygen is adjustable according to physiological requirements. Whetherthis feature is a requirement is determined by the regulatory bodieshaving jurisdiction over the regions in which the aircraft operates. Itis also important that the mask, once donned, leaves both hands of thewearer free to perform his duties and that the mask provide thenecessary field of view to perform those functions. Accordingly, theinvention is designed to not only provide a wide field of view, but alsoprovide vented oxygen to purge the volume around the eyes and to preventcondensation on the lens interior surfaces. Since part of the crew'sfunctions will inevitably include communication with other crewmembersand ground controllers, the invention can also provide an integratedmicrophone enabling continued communications between aircraft crew andground stations once the mask is worn.

In order to provide the above benefits, the present invention utilizes aflexible lens instead of the rigid or semi-rigid lens of prior artemergency crew masks, which, when combined with a flexible materialutilized in the balance of the mask, allows the mask to be rolled upinto a relatively small package for stowage on a flight deck. It hasbeen found that the flexible lens of the present system, when combinedwith the flexible face seal of the mask, provides improved benefits inthe ability to accommodate a wide variety of face and head sizes. Theinvention also includes, in combination with the flexible lens andflexible face seal, an inflatable harness, the inflation being providedand controlled by an oxygen regulator which also provides breathingoxygen to the wearer. A portion of the oxygen for consumption by thewearer may also be distributed around the wearer's eyes in order topurge and clear the lens in conditions conducive to fogging and eyeirritation.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the invention includes a flexibleelastomeric lens that is molded into a flexible face seal surroundingthe lens. The face seal includes mounting points for an inflatableharness extending from the mask around the back of the wearer's head. Inthis embodiment, the inflatable harness is made of flexible elastomerictubing surrounded by a flame resistant covering of Nomex® or the likeand includes connectors between the inflatable tubing and the mask tokeep the desired form and shape of the harness when inflated. Theconnectors can include adjustable straps to vary the size of the harnessto fit a variety of head sizes. The mask seal is molded to receive aregulator which supplies oxygen or breathing gas to the wearer and alsosupplies gas to the inflatable harness by a suitable passage. The maskcan also include passages from the regulator to the interior of the lensto purge and clear the interior of the lens during wear. The maskassembly may also be made by molding the entire mask of a flexibleoptically transparent silicone or other suitable plastic which canmaintain optical quality in the lens region and has the other featuresdescribed above. The lens area of either embodiment may be coated withan abrasion resistant material such as urethane to prevent damage to thelens prior to and during use. In either construction, a microphone canalso be incorporated into the mask to allow continued conversationbetween the crewmember and the electronic communication system in theaircraft. Similarly, provisions can be made in the mask to accommodateheadsets or earpieces for the crewmember, if required.

From the above it will be seen that the invention provides an improvedmask for use by aircraft flight crews during the event of adepressurization or smoke in the cockpit, and also improves the comfortlevel, visibility and storability of the mask, as well as offering highperformance with regard to isolation of the wearer from the hostileenvironment. Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the crew mask of the present invention,illustrating the general arrangement of the components.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the prior art mask and the associatedstowage volume for such a mask.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mask of the present inventionillustrating the stowage volume for the mask of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical view of the prior art masks and their relationshipto the range of head sizes to be accommodated by the mask.

FIG. 5 is a vertical view of the present invention mask illustrating theability of the mask to accommodate to the appropriate range of headsizes.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the mask of the present invention illustratingthe sealing portions of the mask and their relationship to the lens inthe face of the wearer.

FIG. 7 is a vertical view of the mask illustrating the field of view ofthe eyes of the wearer and the accommodation of the field of view by thepresent invention and prior art lenses.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inflatablemask harness.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of theinflatable mask of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of theinflatable harness of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of theinflatable harness of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the exemplary drawings, a first presently preferredembodiment of the present invention is embodied in a flexible, full facecoverage mask for use by aircraft flight crews which includes a flexiblelens sealingly molded in to the face seal. The mask also incorporates aninflatable harness which is inflated by the breathing oxygen regulatedby a regulator incorporated into the face mask. The mask also providesfor purging of the interior of the flexible lens by gas from theregulator in order to retard fogging and other obscuration of the viewout of the lens by the wearer. The entire assembly is capable of beingrolled up into a relatively small package, which facilitates itsinstallation within the limited available space readily at hand to theseated crewmember on the flight deck. In a second presently preferredembodiment, the entire flexible mask portion, including the lens, can beformed of a single unit, either through use of an insert molded into thebalance of the mask or by use of an elastomeric transparent material forthe entire face mask portion of the assembly.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general arrangement of a first preferred embodimentof the present invention. The mask assembly 10 includes a face sealmolding 12 formed to fit around the periphery of the face of the wearerand receive a flexible lens 14 which is bonded or inserted into theelastomeric face seal 12. The lower forward portion of the face seal 12incorporates a portion which includes an oxygen supply regulatorassembly 16 removably attached to the lower forward portion of the mask.The regulator 16 supplies breathing oxygen to the mask wearer throughports internal to the lower forward portion of the face seal 12, andalso supplies oxygen or other breathing gas mixtures to an inflatableharness 18 connected to the breathing gas regulator and the face seal 12via suitable gas passages and connectors in the mask. Connecting straps20 and 22 are then similarly connected at their extremities to aconnector 24 which may also be adjustable to provide means to adjust forthe size and comfort of the mask once inflated. A further connector 26connects strap 20 to the inflatable portion 18 of the harness assembly.

In a presently preferred embodiment, a clear flexible elastomeric lens14 is either bonded or inserted into a receptacle in the elastomericface seal 12. The use of the flexible lens in concert with theelastomeric face seal of the invention serves to improve the ability ofthe mask to seal out toxic or vision impairing gases. These improvedface sealing characteristics also improve the oxygen consumptionperformance of the mask, as there is less leakage over a wider varietyof face configurations. The oxygen supply for the mask is provided byoxygen supply tube 28 connected to regulator 16. In order to facilitatecommunication, the mask may also incorporate a microphone (not shown)which is connected to the aircraft communication system by electricalwiring 30, which may be concurrently routed with oxygen supply tube 28.

Certain benefits of the present invention may be better understood byreference to FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrate the difference in size andconfiguration of the present invention as compared to prior art aircraftemergency crew masks incorporating rigid lens assemblies. As illustratedin the prior art, FIG. 2, a mask 32 incorporating a rigid lens assembly34 of necessity requires a fairly large enclosure 36 into which the maskmust fit to account for the inflexibility of the lens, regardless of theflexibility of the balance of the mask assembly. In contrast, by use ofthe flexible lens, flexible face seal and inflatable harness of thepresent invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the mask may be rolled sothat lens 14 and face seal 12 consume a substantially smaller volume 38as compared to prior art masks. This feature of the invention allows themask to be mounted in a considerably smaller space within the aircraftand possibly be placed more conveniently to hand of the crewmemberduring times of emergency. In light of the increased complexity andsophistication of modern aircraft, and the use of fewer crewmemberscompared to previous equally complex aircraft, flight deck volume hasbeen in short supply and thus the smaller envelope of the stowed mask ofthe present invention represents a substantial advantage over prior artemergency crew masks.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, FIG. 4 illustrates how the present inventionreadily adapts to faces of various sizes more easily than prior artmasks. More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, which illustrates bothlarge 40 and small 42 heads which may be required to be accommodated byemergency flight crew masks assemblies, it may be seen that aconventional rigid mask lens assembly 34 incorporated into conventionalmask face seal 44 cannot accommodate this range of head sizes withouthighly compliant seals provided at the edges of the lens and at theedges of the face seal. Comparing the flexibility of the present lensassembly and the face seal illustrated in phantom as 46 shows therelatively small amount of flexibility available in a prior art lensassembly to accommodate the range of head sizes desired. Referring toFIG. 5, it may be seen that the same head sizes 40 and 42 may be morereadily accommodated by the present invention. More specifically, it canbe seen that the flexible integrated mask and lens assembly 48 candeflect over a substantially greater range as illustrated in phantom bydotted lines 50 to more easily accommodate the required range of headsizes. Furthermore, such accommodation is accomplished without therequirements for high compliance seals at the edges of the lens assemblyin order to bridge the difference in rigidity between a rigid lens and asoft face seal, and the stresses on the seal between the lens and theface seal are substantially reduced by the increased flexibility of thelens of the present invention. Because of the lens flexibility in thepresent invention, the entire face seal can then flex more to varyinghead and face sizes. Another benefit of the present invention is thatsince the soft lens is intentionally flexed with the face seal by thecombination to the face of the user in response to the inflatableharness, less face seal frame structure is needed than in hard lensdesigns which must include an adequate structure to support the rigidlens.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the flexible mask and lens assemblyof the present invention, illustrating the ease with which the mask bothaccommodates to the face of the user and provides a seal with the user'sface. Referring to FIG. 6, which illustrates a cross sectional view ofthe mask assembly of the present invention on the face of the user, itcan be seen that the flexible face seal portion 12 conforms closely withthe face of the wearer 52, thereby providing an excellent seal for themask for a variety of face configurations and surfaces. Flexible lens 14is sealingly attached to face seal 12 at positions 54, 56, allowing faceseal 12 to conform closely to the wearer's face by deflecting toaccommodate any of a variety of facial configurations. A nose bridgeseal portion 58 is molded into the face seal 12 in order to provide aparticularly compliant configuration for sealing across the nose bridgeof the wearer.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a vertical aspect illustrating the field ofview of a wearer, and showing the superior accommodation of fields ofview of a wearer by the present invention. The wearer 60, whose eyeballs62 are capable of a field of view θ is ordinarily limited by the fieldof view of a rigid lens of the type utilized in the prior art 64. Such arigid or semi-rigid lens, while providing good optical quality, does notallow for a broad field of view and this may have certain importantlimitations, particularly in the event of emergency circumstances for aflight crew in an aircraft. By contrast, the present invention lens 14is capable of deflection over a far wider region of the wearer's facewhile maintaining acceptable optical quality, thus allowing for a fullview through the optical portion of the mask of the field of view θ ofthe user's eyes 62. This wide field of view is further enhanced by theability to provide a closely fitting mask on the side portions of theface by use of the flexible lens 14 and flexible face seal 12 which canconform tightly with the forward side portions of the wearer's face.

FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate a variety of configurations which may beused for the inflatable harness in order to provide close fitting andcomfort for the wearer of the mask of the present invention. Theinflatable portion of FIG. 8 includes both a lateral wrap-aroundelastomeric tube 66 and a central circular elastomeric tube 68 which areconnected to one another by a harness connection 70 and into the mask byadjustable straps 72. A similar configuration is illustrated in FIG. 9,in which a single inflatable tube 66 is configured to assume a similarshape to that of FIG. 8 by connectors 74, thereby gaining the benefit ofa single continuous tube to be used for the inflatable harness assembly.Similarly to FIG. 8 the inflatable portion of the harness is thenattached to the face seal by straps 72. FIG. 10 illustrates a furthervariation in which the inflatable assembly consists of both a top andbottom lateral tube 66, 76 connected by a vertical tube 80, all of whichare supplied with air via the regulator in the forward portion of themask. FIG. 11 illustrates yet another configuration for the harnesswhich may be advantageously used with the invention. In this embodimentelastomeric tubes 82, 84 are attached to mask face seal 12 by connectors86 and are held in place in the crossed position behind the wearer'shead by retainer 88. A strap 90 also serves to preserve the shape of theharness during use.

It is important that the lens of the present system have sufficientoptical quality and resistance to abrasion and other damage to functionsimilarly to the rigid and semi-rigid lenses of prior art masks. It iswell known that a number of formulations of silicone exist that provideresistances to yellowing and other optical degradation sufficient foruse in a mask which must be stored for long periods of time prior touse. One such material which should be suitable for this purpose as alens material is General Electric SE6800-D2 silicone in the “clear”peroxide cured molding grade. Other clear, flexible plastic materialswith optical transmittance in the 80% range may also be suitable,depending on the detail design of the mask. There are also scratchresistant additives and coatings that are available for siliconeformulations which enhance the ability of the lens to maintain opticalquality when subject to abrasion. One such scratch resistant coatinginvolves the coating of the lens with urethane. In a presently preferredembodiment, the invention involves the use of a urethane coated siliconelens bonded to the silicone based face seal by use of the followingprocess. The lens is premolded out of silicone and coated with anabrasion resistive coating, such as urethane. The lens is then placed ina mold which is designed to receive the lens and mold the liquid maskmaterial around the lens and other inserts, if any, such as the harnessmounting hardware and regulator mounting assembly. The lens perimeterand mask seal is cleaned with Methyl Ethyl Ketone and the lens withHexane. An adhesive such as 34D manufactured by Synthetic Surfaces,Scotch Plains, New Jersey is then used to adhere the lens to the faceseal. The mask is then cured, depending upon the requirements of theparticular silicone, and the completed mask is removed from the mold.

An important aspect of the invention is the ability to combine theflexibility of the mask seal and lens with the inflatable harness inorder to provide previously unavailable levels of lens field of view,storability, comfort, wearability and sealing in a mask that is alsoproviding sufficient optical quality for use under high stressconditions by flight crews. While a variety of regulators may be used,in a presently preferred embodiment, one regulator suitable for use withthe mask is the Puritan-Bennett oxygen pressure regulator previouslyutilized in the Puritan-Bennett Sweep On 2000 Crew Mask, availablewithout a lens but with an inflatable harness made of silicone tubingoverlaid with Nomex® braided material. This demand regulator alsoprovide the ability to adjust the pressure in the inflatable harness,and thus the comfort of the harness, by access to a crew control knob orlever on the side of the demand regulator assembly. The demand regulatorassembly also provides for a means to provide purging air to the insideof the lens assembly via suitably arranged passages in the mask.

A second presently preferred embodiment addresses the desirablebenefits, for cost, reliability and manufactureability reasons, tomanufacture the mask as a single piece lens and face seal assembly outof transparent silicone of the type suitable for use as a flexible lensmaterial. It has been found that such a configuration further simplifiesthe design of the mask by eliminating the manufacturing step of sealingthe lens with the balance of the face seal, and avoiding irregularitiesin flexibility associated with dis-continuities between materials andthe transition between the lens and the face seal. Similarly to thepreviously described embodiments, the forward lower portion of the faceseal is molded to accommodate the demand flow regulator and the attachpoints of the inflatable harness straps to provide a complete assembly.In this alternative method of construction, the area of the moldrepresenting the lens is finished to a sufficiently high opticalaccuracy for the intended purpose and the mold is configured to provideappropriate thickness to the lens area in comparison to the balance ofthe mask. Then, an optical quality clear silicone is used to mold themask and to thus provide an integrally formed mask and lens assembly. Ina presently preferred embodiment, a General Electric Silicone known as454-3243 Ultra Tufel “Water Clear, Fast Cure can be used to mold such amask and provide acceptable clarity, flexibility, strengths and damageresistance capabilities.

From the forgoing, it will be appreciated that the crew emergency maskassembly of the present invention allows for a substantially improvedfield of view and stowability while still providing a comfortable andhighly effective mask for use in hazardous circumstances in the flightdeck of a high performance aircraft.

While several forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will also be apparent that various modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except asby the appended claims.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A quick-donning full face oxygen mask for use inoxygen depleted environments and environments contaminated by smoke orother pollutants comprising: a flexible face seal, said flexible faceseal including an interior, and a pliable, flexible peripheryconformable to a wearer's face, said flexible face seal furtherincluding a plurality of mounting points for an inflatable harnessattached to said flexible face seal, said flexible face seal furtherincluding an oxygen supply regulator removably attached to said flexibleface seal; a flexible optical lens of optical quality disposed in saidflexible face seal, said flexible face seal having means for mountingsaid flexible optical lens in a region of the mask adapted to overliethe eyes of the wearer, said flexible optical lens surrounded by saidface seal, said flexible optical lens having a rolled configuration forstorage and an unrolled configuration capable of deflecting to conformto a wearer's face and to said rolled configuration; said flexibleoptical lens sealingly attached to said flexible face seal at itsperiphery to thereby bond and seal said flexible optical lens to saidface seal; said inflatable harness including at least one lateralwrap-around elastomeric tube connected to said oxygen regulator andsupplied oxygen by said oxygen regulator, said at least one lateralwrap-around elastomeric tube extending around the rear of the head ofthe wearer and attached to said flexible face seal by said plurality ofmounting points; said oxygen regulator being connected to the interiorof said flexible face seal to provide breathing gas to said wearer, aportion of said breathing gas being conducted to an interior surface ofsaid flexible optical lens to prevent fogging, said flexible face sealand said flexible optical lens being of sufficient flexibility to allowsaid mask to be rolled for storage.
 23. The quick-donning full faceoxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said flexible optical lens is formed ofclear silicone.
 24. The quick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 22,wherein said flexible optical lens is coated with a scratch resistantadditive.
 25. The quick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 24,wherein said flexible optical lens is coated with a scratch resistantcoating of clear urethane.
 26. The quick-donning full face oxygen maskof claim 22, wherein said flexible optical lens is formed of a clearperoxide cured molding grade silicone.
 27. The quick-donning full faceoxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said flexible mask assembly is formedof a flexible, optically transparent plastic.
 28. The quick-donning fullface oxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said flexible mask assembly isformed of a flexible, optically transparent silicone.
 29. Thequick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said flexiblemask assembly comprises a face seal formed of silicone.
 30. Thequick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said flexiblemask assembly comprises an inflatable harness formed of silicone tubing.31. The quick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 22, wherein saidflexible mask assembly and said flexible optical lens are formed as asingle piece of transparent silicone.
 32. The quick-donning full faceoxygen mask of claim 31, wherein said flexible mask assembly and saidflexible optical lens are formed of an optical quality clear silicone.33. The quick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 32, wherein saidflexible optical quality lens is coated with an abrasion resistantmaterial.
 34. The quick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 22,wherein said flexible optical quality lens provides a wide field of viewto the wearer.
 35. The quick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 22,wherein said inflatable harness further comprises adjustable strapsattached to said at least one lateral wrap-around elastomeric tube andto said flexible face seal at positions which allow the adjustment ofthe inflatable harness for size and comfort by the wearer.
 36. Thequick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said inflatableharness comprises a central circular elastomeric tube connected to saidat least one lateral wrap-around elastomeric tube.
 37. The quick-donningfull face oxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said at least one lateralwrap-around elastomeric tube comprises a plurality of connectors to forma central circular portion of said at least one lateral wrap-aroundelastomeric tube.
 38. The quick-donning full face oxygen mask of claim22, wherein said inflatable harness comprises top and bottom lateralwrap-around elastomeric tubes.
 39. The quick-donning full face oxygenmask of claim 38, further comprising a vertical tube connecting said topand bottom lateral wrap-around elastomeric tubes.
 40. The quick-donningfull face oxygen mask of claim 22, wherein said inflatable harnesscomprises first and second lateral wrap-around elastomeric tubes held inplace in a cross-configuration by a retainer.